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You’ve spent much of your life saving for your retirement, but have you actually planned what you’re going to do when you’re an older senior? What made sense when you were younger and raising a family may not make sense when you’re an older senior and an empty-nester. Your old family home makes up a significant proportion of your savings and isn’t necessarily in the right location or featuring the right design as you get older.

One option every senior should consider is independent living senior apartments. These are age-restricted communities where you can downsize into a smaller apartment with a number of senior-focused amenities, classes, recreational programs, transportation services, and meals, often served in a communal dining room.

When you’re looking for senior living apartments, consider features like proximity to family, ease of access to shopping and medical offices, recreational programs, the quality of the food, and the type of apartment you want to live in.

But what is life like in an independent living retirement community? It will feel like a change, but overall, it’s a good one for seniors. Here are three ways you can improve your physical and mental health, mood, and overall quality of life once you make the move to senior housing.

Stay Active

Unfortunately, age brings some deterioration to your muscle strength and bone structure. Staying active can help you fight back and restore that strength. An active senior lifestyle will help you maintain your independence.

Senior exercises should focus on balance, mobility, cardiovascular health, and improving strength. One way is through chair exercises that help you safely exercise. When you’re researching your options for senior housing, ask about the exercise programs they offer. Many retirement residences pride themselves on providing tons of options for senior-focused exercise classes.

Stay Social 

Social connections keep seniors healthy and senior living apartments make it easy to find new friends and stay socially active. There’s high value to cultivating social capital in your senior years. An active social life can keep you healthier and happier. It can help you stay more mobile and form connections with the place where you live.

Ask retirement residences about social clubs and activities. Whether you want to join a morning walking club, knitting club, or you love playing cards, find a place that offers the activities that appeal to you.

Give Back to the Community

Finally, giving back to the community through volunteering, charity knitting, or similar activities can give you purpose and meaning long after you’ve retired from your job. In addition to pursuing hobbies and leisure activities, giving back to the community can keep you feeling purposeful.
In addition to staying active, staying social, and volunteering your time, you can click here to learn more about senior living advice and find out how to make the most of senior living apartments. New senior housing options make it easier to live independently for longer and age in place if you do develop a need for care and assistance. It isn’t hard to get more out of life in a retirement residence!

Homecoming, per se, is an annual tradition in the United States, usually held in the early Fall season (September and October). This can be a reunion amongst alumni and alumnae in the school; or even a reunion amongst former residents in a particular town. Whether the homecoming is celebrated by the school or the community, as a former student or a former resident of the said school or community, you will need to prepare for the event according to the theme.

First and foremost, you may need to check when the event is, where will it be held and what might be the weather on that day to be able to get all the necessary things ready. The date, the venue, weather as well as the theme will affect the attire that you may need to wear on that day.

It would be good thing if the weather is not too cold nor too warm nor raining as you can wear anything that you might think comfortable. Meanwhile, the best homecoming dresses to wear whatever the weather is, would be A-line style and knee length dresses. This style will be comfortable as you can move around. In addition, you can always bring with you a wrap or a shawl just in case there will be a sudden change in the temperature during the day. It may not be just limited to A-line and knee length dresses as it will still depend on how comfortable you will be. If you are someone who is sociable and would like to walk around or dance, the style is highly recommended. Meanwhile, there are also other styles you can choose from:

• Empire Style Dresses – This style is something similar to A-line dresses. The difference will be the waist part. For A-line dress, the waist part will be tight whilst for empire dress, the part under the bust is the one that’s tight then it naturally flows down. The empire style dress however is the most recommended style for those who are having problems with bigger waist part. With that being said, to avoid being conscious about this part someone with this problem can wear a shapewear that will give a slimming effect.

• Sheath Style Dresses – Sheath style dresses are tight and may not allow you to dance freely especially if there will be community dances meanwhile you can still wear it during the homecoming party if you are comfortable with it. This dress style however is best for formal events or evening dates.

• Mermaid Style Dresses – Like the sheath style dresses, mermaid style dresses are also tight fitting however this style is a style that emphasizes the body curves.

With the mentioned styles and descriptions, you can easily choose which one would be best for you during the party.

With regards to the length of the dress, knee length dresses will be recommended meanwhile you can also choose from tea-length ones. If you are short then the knee length dress will fit you well.
In addition, if you are having a hard time finalizing the color for your dress, you can go to the nearest dress shops and try on the dresses with different colors as well as different styles. If you are still not satisfied with the collection, you can browse online for the trending homecoming dresses 2019. There is a wide range of dresses that you can see online, some of which are cheap but quality dresses and you can even receive them within few days from the time you place the order.

Outside influences have a much larger impact on our relationships than many people think. People that are unable to navigate the different distractions or obstacles they face as a couple are sure to fail as a couple. The best thing that anyone can do is that of being communicative with our issues rather than bottling them up only to come out during the next heated argument. All relationships take work in order to succeed so do not forget this although some people feign chemistry simply because they always have issues and thrive off of drama created. The following are events or situations that can have an impact on your relationship going forward if not resolved.

Jealousy

Jealousy is often times an issue that can cause a relationship to end as always being accused of cheating gets quite old very quickly. Working on jealousy issues is going to take time as it is likely your significant other has acted this way in their previous relationships and not just their current one. Smartphones are a source of jealousy for many couples as many people will not let others go through their phone even if they do not have anything to hide. Sharing passwords can help alleviate jealousy issues but then the issue becomes that of trust.

Outside Trauma

Outside trauma that has caused PTSD needs to be addressed as this can impact an entire relationship. Whether you need a car or aviation accident attorney it is important that legal action where necessary is taken to help your recovery. Support through this process is important as you or your significant other is working on themselves to be better overall, not just in the relationship. Other traumas need to be brought into the open if they are impacting the relationship in any way.

Issues With Family Or Parents

Disputes between your significant other’s parents or family can be a huge pain in the neck. The issue becomes when family that they trust keep telling them that you are not right for them or your parents keep telling you. In these circumstances a large meeting should be held in order to address any issues people have. This is much better than letting it fester and allowing people to damage your relationship due to a personal vendetta.

Bashing Each Other On Social Media

The people that flock to social media after a fight with their spouse or significant other do more damage than helping the situation. Not only do people on social media see this but it also reflects poorly on your partner. Keep your problems between yourselves or close friends as your 3^rd grade teacher has no business being informed about the intimate details of a relationship. The ease of posting causes people to do this in anger which they later remove but the damage has already been done and the fight escalates due to this.

As you can see relationships are hard work if we want them to succeed long term. Take the time to evaluate your relationship to see where you can improve it even if it is going great!

What are the first things that you think of when planning a party? You’re going to be focused on the Big Three hallmarks of a good event: a good location, enjoyable entertainment, and great food. If you’re someone who loves to host and are itching for an excuse to throw a shindig, then why not throw a party where the star is yarn?

Never underestimate the impact an activity can have on a party’s success. If you’re wondering how to host a knitting party then look no further. This article will cover everything you need to know to throw a crafty bash that everyone will love.

Make the focus of the party yarn and give your guests the opportunity to make something with their hands and you’ll be surprised by how quickly everyone warms up to each other. For bridal and baby showers in particular, a yarn party is a great way to get guests chatting and laughing all while exercising their creative muscles.

Getting the Supplies

You’re throwing a yarn party so you’re going to need one key supply: yarn! There are many different yarn weights and types to choose from, so pick something that catches the eye and feels soft to the touch. One good solution to finding the perfect yarn is to go with a specialty variety like Bernat yarn in the Blanket-EZ style. Your guests will use this type of yarn with just their hands, which adds an element of excitement and adventure to the activity.

Depending on what you’re going to have your guests make, you might need to plan ahead and get a certain type of yarn that will suit the occasion. Or, you can keep things open and flexible by asking your guests to bring their own yarn as if it were a potluck. If your party is a little bit casual and your guests are largely knitters, then they might be able to bring their needles and some of their own yarn.  

Picking the Right Craft to Make

Your party’s yarn creation should be fun to make but not so difficult that it will be frustrating for beginners. Pick something with a quick learning curve and one that uses as few supplies as possible. Hand or finger knitting is perfect for these types of parties since there’s no needles required and it’s something that is probably new and exciting to most of your guests.

Choose colors that match the time of year — bright and vibrant colors for spring, warm and earthy tones for fall, etc. If you’re planning on making a baby shower into a yarn extravaganza, then pick a simple but useful craft like a baby bib that the parents could then take home.

Set-up and Decoration

You’ve picked up the yarn, you’ve mastered the craft and are ready to show everyone else how to make it, now the only thing left is to decorate and prepare for your guests. When picking out snacks, go for foods that are not messy or runny since you don’t want the food to end up on everyone’s creations.

Prepare an area that is open and airy by moving aside furniture and gathering chairs around the edge of a room. That will be the main hub for the creative activity of your party. You might even end up “passing the torch” to one of your more enthusiastic guests who will then host the next yarn bash! Have fun!

Heading into bathing suit season, many of us are working towards our summer goals and preparing to become ‘beach body’ ready. For some of us, that means hitting the gym to tone the body and drop a few extra pounds. For others, this could mean breaking out the razor or opting for a specialized waxing treatment for smooth, glowing skin. But for Brooklyn’s leading waxing salon, Brazils Waxing Center, literally every body is a beach body.

“We focus on full body, all-natural, organic hard waxing for both men and women, young and old, in a judgment-free, body positive zone,” says Brazils Waxing Center partner, Uthman Arogundade.

Creating an Environment of Body Positivity

The summer is a beautiful time to connect with friends and enjoy a sunnier disposition. But despite its free-spirited nature, the summer can also induce a great deal of pressure for both men and women to look a certain way, not to mention fitting a certain image. Focused primarily on the value of inclusion, Brazils Waxing Center hopes to alleviate some of this pressure, welcoming individuals of every age, gender, and body type from the moment they step into the door. The waxing salon also makes a point to make each client feel at home, creating a relaxing, spa-like experience that everyone can enjoy.

“Upon walking in, you will see a clean, bright and vibrant facility with white décor and pops of color.  First-timers check-in on modern iPad stands.  Our music is curated by the staff. Our waxing rooms are unique and very chic – customers get to lay down on 360-degree reclining waxing chairs.  We use a custom blend of our own proprietary hard wax,” Uthman Arogundade adds.

A New Breed of Waxing Salons

It’s no wonder why the salon has amassed literally hundreds of Yelp reviews with the highest ratings in Brooklyn over the course of just one year. Opened in March of 2018, Brazils Waxing Center delivers a six-step waxing process using hard wax to minimize discomfort and maximize results. Unlike soft wax methods that utilize cloth strips, Brazil’s wax sticks to hair, instead of skin to create a less painful experience overall. The salon also utilizes 360-degree reclining chairs to reach every angle effectively in the most comfortable position. Each client is treated as an individual, given their own individualized wax pot to ensure sanitary practices. In other words, Brazils Waxing Center never ‘double dips.’ Combining medical-grade equipment, with a warm and relaxing spa environment, Brazils Waxing Center makes waxing a painless experience for all.

Compelling Reasons to Wax

But first, what exactly is waxing? Waxing is a popular semi-permanent hair removal technique that removes hair from the root. While you may have gotten used to the nicks and cuts that come with shaving, waxing can present a safer and less painful alternative. Waxing has also been known to last a lot longer than shaving techniques. In fact, clients of Brazils Waxing Center typically see results that last between four to six weeks. After waxing, hair grows back thinner and lighter as well, making the hair follicles weaker over time.

Ditching the Toxic Environment

Another compelling reason to wax is that waxing products are typically derived from all-natural ingredients. Unfortunately, a number of other skincare products out there and found in drugstores or online are lurking with dangerous chemicals that not only irritate the skin but can also lead to toxicity in the body and scary disease like cancer in the long run. Chemicals like Triethanolamine are commonly found in shaving creams and gels and have been associated with hormone disruption as well as cancer-causing nitrates. Other chemicals have been known to produce a number of health issues ranging from osteoarthritis to heart disease to early-onset menopause. If that isn’t scary enough, Polytetrafluoroethylene is the exact same ingredient used to make non-stick cookware like Teflon. Imagine absorbing that into your body! Phthalates are another scary breed of chemicals found in shaving creams and other beauty products. Phthalates are used to make plastics and essentially act as endocrine disruptors that can affect the hormones in the brain. Pregnant women are even advised against the use of this chemical as it can affect the mental and physical development of their offspring.

Redefining Beauty Ideals

It’s time to leave this toxic environment behind for good! By challenging beauty ideals and welcoming an attitude of inclusivity, it’s places like Brazils Waxing Center that will change the beauty landscape for the better. Leading with a natural approach and the trademarked motto, Appreciate Every Body®, Brazils Waxing Center celebrates one universal truth, we are all beautiful.

 

One of the hottest backpacking destinations in the summer, by far, is Southeast Asia. Not only is it insanely fun and unseasonably warm, but the whole experience costs just a fraction of price compared to other big regional destinations (here’s looking at you, Western Europe).

With that said, if you’re going to maximize your pleasure and minimize your discomfort, there are definitely points to take into consideration before going. In this post, let’s look at a few of the things you should know before you book anything, including the best destinations, the must-do activities, how to pack and what shots to get.

Where to Go

There are so many amazing spots in Southeast Asia, more than any one blog could begin to name. But, in the interest of brevity, let’s list four destinations that correspond to different types of travelers. Which one are you?

• • For the foodie: If you love eating, then follow the amazing aromas all the way to Penang or Singapore. Those two cities are noted foodie heavens, but, really, you can’t go wrong anywhere in SE Asia.
  • For the bold adventurer: If you want adventure, head to the jungles of Borneo or Sumatra and take in the wildlife. Cities like Pontianakor Medan (respectively) make for good starting points into the jungle, where you might even see an orangutan or two!

 

• For the all night partier: For a debauched, wild and unforgettable time, head to Phuket, in Thailand, or Boracay in the Philippines.

 

What to Do

Southeast Asia is famous for four main things: sunshine, food, parties and scenery. To that end, if you’re going to SE Asia this summer, seek out a beach, go check out a few dance parties, eat as much as you possibly can and check out some of the cultural sights, like Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Halong Bay in Vietnam or the Royal Palace of Luang Prabang in Laos.

What to Pack

When packing for Southeast Asia, the most important thing is to stay light and cool. That means packing a light suitcase full of breathable, odour-resistant clothing, like merino wool shirts and underwear, loose swim trunks, flip-flops and a sun protective hat. As far as the nitty gritty of your packing is concerned, consult these tips for those who love to travel – there are some really great resources in that blog.

What Shots to Get

First off, make sure all your routine vaccinations are taken care of and up-to-date (things like measles, tetanus, polio, etc.). Vaccinations will vary according to where you’re going, and what sort of activities you’ll be doing (i.e. if you plan on jungle trekking or just hanging out in big cities).

Most doctors will recommend Typhoid and Hep A, but they might also vaccinate for Japanese Encephalitis, rabies and meningitis. Malaria pills are a contentious issue, and probablyone you should decide upon with your doctor, instead of an internet article!

You’re about to discover what many people before you have discovered: that this unique region is one of the most exhilarating places on earth. Just make sure to be prepared, and don’t forget to pack sunscreen!

There are “date dates” and then there are “friend dates”. The former comes along with all sorts of pressure – pressure to please, pressure to impress, pressure not to blurt out the wrong thing and then spend the next hour apologizing from outside the bathroom door. It can be so much pressure, in fact, that you forget to actually have a good time.

The latter, however – the friend date – is unique in that it contains all the fun of a regular date, without any of the stress of having to perform and satisfy. It’s just you and your best friend, chatting about whatever you want while you try something new. If that sounds like a small slice of heaven, then read on to find out the seven best date ideas.

Throw Some Axes

Let your inner Viking out an axe throwing facility. This ancient game isn’t that hard to learn, and once you do it’s incredibly addictive – pretty much, all you have to do is throw an axe at a wooden bull’s eye. If you already know how to axe throw, you can teach a friend to throw an axe but if you don’t, no worries. The best axe throwing facilities always have axe throwing experts on hand to show you the ropes. Be sure to snap a photo while you’re there, since nothing looks for badass than wielding a giant axe.

Follow Along With a YouTube Cooking Video

Friends who cook together, stay together. That’s just the truth. To that end, rather than rifling around the internet for a written recipe, just go to YouTube and follow along with one of the recipe videos there. Some great channels to get you started are: Food Wishes, Binging With Babish, Bon Apetit and Adam Liaw.

Hit Up a Bowling Alley

For a little bit of retro flair, throw on your coolest concert tee, head to the bowling alley, rent yourself some of those dichromatic shoes and compete with your best friend. Bowling alleys are a dying breed, but you can still find at least one in most big cities. Whereas it’s a wise idea to call ahead for something like axe throwing, the bowling alley will likely be pretty clear. If not, you can always do the next best thing: rent a Wii or head to an arcade for some virtual ten-pin.

Play Some New Board Games

There’s nothing wrong with playing board games, but why not shake things up with some new games. Great board games are being invented all the time, and, although you may to specially order them online, they’re fairly easy to find. The best new game of last year, according to Vulture, was Everdell, a German-style game that builds up fast and takes only a half hour, roughly.

Hit the Gym Together

No one’s saying that every friend date has to be entertaining. Sometimes, it’s enough to just get out of the house with a best friend and do something productive. Pick a weekday night that you’re both free, and meet at the gym.

Not only will it make the experience less boring, but also, having another person around is a proven way to push yourself harder during exercise. You can hold each other accountable to goals, and provide encouragement. If you’re really intense, and you and your friend are both competitive, you can even download a fitness challenge app with them.

Find a Trivia Night

You may not win the whole thing with just two people, but trivia is a fun way of spending the night out. Rather than just sit and drink, you get to flex your brain muscles. More and more theme trivia nights have been popping up, especially in bigger cities, like “Simpsons Trivia”, “Sports Trivia”, “Spongebob Trivia” and even “Buffy the Vampire Slayer Trivia”. Are you and your friend experts in any niche topics?

Have a “Whisky Appreciation Night”

When you call it “drinking whisky at home with your friend”, it sounds kind of pathetic. Gussy it up, however, with a name like “Whisky Appreciation Night”, and you’ve got yourself a dignified pastime. Share tasting notes, compare thoughts, or, you know, just have a couple drinks and laugh about your life. Of course, if you don’t like whisky, just sub it out for any other drink, like wine or beer.

For a fun night out (or in) with your best friend, try one of these amazing friend date ideas. You might not be going out… but that shouldn’t stop you from going out.

Give your mom the gift of skin-care this year for Mother’s Day! It’s about time that your mother takes the time to care for herself.

All your mom needs are the resources and right products to really invest some time and effort into self-care— and you can give that to her!

When your skin is unhealthy, you feel it physically and emotionally. Your mom deserves quality products that will either restore or maintain her natural glow. If you want to give her the gift of skin-care this year, your best option is selecting the perfect gift set of various products to suit her different needs.

These sets allow you to gift multiple smaller products to help your mom identify the products that work best for her. They provide selection and are the perfect beginner introduction to skin-care practices.

A set of products will also give you a bang for your buck! A lot of the time, the price of a skin-care gift set is less than the combined value of the products that comprise it.

Your mom will love these well-rounded sets of quality products that are packed with nutrients and organic ingredients:

SK-II Pitera™ Essence Set: There is no denying that SK-II skincare is absolutely amazing when it comes to their age-defying products. There’s a lot to love about this set of products made from SK-II’s signature anti-ageing ingredient Pitera.

The value set includes three classic SK-II products; its facial treatment essence, facial treatment mask and facial treatment clear lotion. Together, these products will hydrate and sooth your mom’s skin — because she deserves it.

TOCCA’s Ten Days of Tocca – Limited Edition: From hand creams to perfumes, this set of 10 travel sized items has it all! Your mom will get a little bit of everything.

NUFACE’s Infusion Serums Trio Pack: Does your mom love serums? Opt for this NUFACE gift set ofanti-ageing infusion serums Including a nourisher, smoother and lift. These products protect, firm and lift skin to help restore a youthful glow!

SUNDAY RILEY’s Bright Young Thing Visible Skin Brightening Kit: Your mom will love this set comprised of a variety of quality products. You can’t go wrong with products that smooth and clear your skin.

The expansive set comes with an acid treatment, cream and serum. Together, these items boastincredible value and can be used in tandem to achieve hydrated skin. These three products are the perfect addition to your mother’s skin-care routine.

PETER THOMAS ROTH’s Mask Frenzy:You can never go wrong with masks. They are low maintenance and are the perfect option for a treat-yourself night at home. The PETER THOMAS ROTH Mask Frenzy set contains six different nourishing masks to suit your mom’s unique needs.

Your mom will have a mask for every day of the week —a black mask, heat mask, lift and firm mask, hydrator, gel mask and dermal resurfacer. Whatever mood your mom’s skin may be in, this set will offer a mask to rectify the situation.

SUNDAY RILEY’s C.E.O. Vitamin C Kit: There are so many benefits to Vitamin C and SUNDAY RILEY’s C.E.O. Vitamin C Kit is full of it! The set has incredible value and will help restore natural brightness to skin.

The set is comprised of a cleansing oil, brightening serum, and repair moisturizer – honestly, it has it all! Your mom will love using these products together to enhance her natural glow.